Q&A: LB Alec Ogletree ‘very anxious to get back out there’ for Bulldogs
This is one of the last shots we saw of Alec Ogletree, getting the defensive call from the sideline in Georgia's Nike Pro Combat uniform at the Georgia Dome. (UGA photo)
Q&A WITH ALEC OGLETREE
Alec Ogletree was the toast of the offseason for the Georgia Bulldogs. Going back to spring practice and all the way through preseason, the experiment of moving the 6-foot-3, 240-pound sophomore from strong safety to inside “Mo” linebacker was said to be an unmitigated success. Coaches and teammates spoke in excited anticipation of the havoc Ogletree was going to wreak playing down close to the line of scrimmage in the middle of the Georgia’s 3-4 defense. “He was practicing extremely well,” coach Mark Richt said. “He was making most of the tackles and he was doing it with some enthusiasm and some physicality. He has the ability to knock people back and he has the ability to run sideline-to-sideline and he has the ability to cover well. He has all the tools.”
But all the air from that balloon was sucked out just two defensive series into the season opener against Boise State. Ogletree broke the fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot in the first quarter. The break was confirmed on X-rays right there at the Georgia Dome and Ogletree has been sidelined ever since.
Make that WAS sidelined. The former AJC Super 11 selection and 5-star prospect was cleared for practice last week. Sunday night, Richt announced that Ogletree would in fact start his first game back next Saturday against Florida in Jacksonville. Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham left little doubt that would be the case upon watching Ogletree negotiate his first full-contact practice last week. “It was exciting,” Grantham said with a rare grin. “He looked good. I was fired up.” Here’s a what Ogletree had to say about the injury ordeal and his feelings as he prepares to come back against the Gators:
Q: What exactly happened to break your foot?
A: “I just stepped and tried to turn and run and my foot didn’t turn with me. It just stayed there and popped.”
Q: Do you think it was those new Nike Pro combat shoes?
A: “I don’t really know. It was bound to happen from what the doctors told me. It just happened to happen then.”
Q: I heard you actually played a while with your foot broken. That true?
A: “I played two series with it broken. When I did it, I just started saying, ‘man, I think I broke my foot.’ I tried to shake it off but as play kept going I knew I had actually done something bad to it. I was telling all the guys, ‘I think I broke my foot.’ They were just yelling, ’shake it off, man!’ But I could tell it was bad.”
Q: What was going through your mind when you realized you were seriously injured?
A: “I was devastated actually. I’d never been injured to the point I was sidelined for a long period of time. So it was kind of hard for me. But at the same time I knew I had guys who could back me up and step in and play. And that’s what they’ve been doing, so it really hasn’t been a problem.”
Q: Any concerns whatsoever with the foot now?
A: “No. I don’t feel any pain at all. I just try not to think about it and just go out there and play.”
Q: What did you think of the job Mike Gilliard, Amarlo Herrera, Jeremy Sulek and those guys did in your absence?
A: “I had great confidence in what we could do because of how hard we worked in the offseason and how guys had a different state of mind than last year, the work ethic and stuff. They did a wonderful job as far as stepping into play for both me and Christian [Robinson]. So I give big ups to the guys for that. I mean, I didn’t think ‘Mike G’ was going be SEC Player of the Week, but I knew he could play. So that part wasn’t a surprise. Amarlo stepped up real good for us, too.”
Q: They have played awfully well. Are you worried how you might fit back in?
A: “That’s up to the coaches. Everybody is still going to come out and work hard. No position is given to you around here, so you’ve got to work for it. And that’s what I’m going to do. Each and every day, all four of us, me, Christian, Mike G and Amarlo, we’re going to go out there and work every day, whether I’m starting or he’s starting or whoever’s starting.”
Q: Any discussion of you playing some strong safety with Shawn Williams out for the first half?
A: “No, I don’t think so. I’m just trying to get back into the flow of things at linebacker.”
Q: You and Cornelius Washington both come back this week, but y’all lose Williams and Kwame Geathers for a half. Has it been frustrating not being able to have the full defensive complement on the field for this team?
A: “Like I’ve said, each of the 11 positions on this defense, everybody’s got backups that can step into play any time. So with them coming out I know we’ve got guys that can back them up.”
Q: How eager are you to play again in a real game?
A: “I’m very anxious to get back out there in a game and get going again. I’ve been out so long, right now I’m just trying to work on my conditioning and trying to jell back with the defense. I just want to help my team the best I can.”
|– Chip Towers
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367 comments Add your comment
JAWJeRDAWG
October 24th, 2011
12:45 pm
I hope Brantley does play.
Our best against their best and a UGA win will eliminate all their ‘Well, we lost because we didn’t have our best players on the field’ speculation!
Go Dawgs! and beat the Gators!
TampaDawg
October 24th, 2011
12:46 pm
It’s Obvious “we own you!” .. how’s that all-time series looking there buddy?
Hairy Perry
October 24th, 2011
12:47 pm
Imagine all the Tech fans watching the game Saturday with clinched fist screaming for Florida.
Truly Pathetic.
TampaDawg
October 24th, 2011
12:48 pm
Where did GT Joe go with his rankings? At least he had enough guts to admit he is a GT fan (troll). Unless he is one of these idiots posing as a Florida fan.
DIT
October 24th, 2011
12:48 pm
I agree JAWJeRDAWG
This game will not be decided by Brantly. This game will be decided by Murray. Will he give the game away like he did against SC or will he finally put it together for a full 60 minutes and play lights out. Our defense will hold them under 20 points (or should)the question is can we score more than 20 with the play calling. That is unknown for now.
It's Obvious Your Yellow
October 24th, 2011
12:48 pm
Enter your comments here
It's Obvious Your Yellow
October 24th, 2011
12:50 pm
I love it when Yech’s come on here posing as gator fans, like about 5 years ago when we racked up like 50 points on em in Athens and they all started doing the gator chomp. Me and my brother started laughing our @sses off.
TampaDawg
October 24th, 2011
12:51 pm
And I will take your GT money too ..
TampaDawg
October 24th, 2011
12:52 pm
It’s Obvious you know nothing about football by the midget QB comment .. stay on here please though, your ignorance is quite entertaining.
Hairy Perry
October 24th, 2011
12:53 pm
Good day Dawgs!
DIT
October 24th, 2011
12:55 pm
Did you think of that cleaver comment yourself or did you little sister help you out with that. My guess your little sister because you don’t have enough intelligence to think for yourself. Must really stink to be a tekie having to hide under another teams success.
Showing your lack of education by not having a clue what DIT stands for. Go back to hiding under your sisters skirt!
Fred
October 24th, 2011
12:56 pm
DIT = Dumb Ignorant Twit.
TampaDawg
October 24th, 2011
12:57 pm
Dipstick copies my moniker and makes gay jokes .. very creative there little guy. No one would have ever though of that.
Dirty awg
October 24th, 2011
12:58 pm
Enter your comments here
DIT
October 24th, 2011
12:59 pm
@TampaDawg – They are just being the true tekies that they are. “It’s Obvious” & Fred are one of the same. Bitter little tekie. However, they are entertaining.
DawgInaTruck
October 24th, 2011
1:00 pm
When you post trash repeatedly on another team’s blog…It’s Obvious…you are in serious need of a girl. And no, neither your Mom nor your sister count.
TampaDawg
October 24th, 2011
1:02 pm
True enough DIT .. and to resort to the homosexual stuff is just way beyond classless. Dude needs to get back to his 6th grade class and stay off of other teams blogs.
Joey
October 24th, 2011
1:05 pm
Go back and read the last 15 techie posts. Do they know anything about football?
Davis
October 24th, 2011
1:05 pm
Ogletree lost his position. No way he should be entitled to get it back, his fill ins outplayed him.
TampaDawg
October 24th, 2011
1:08 pm
Davis
October 24th, 2011
1:05 pm
Ogletree lost his position. No way he should be entitled to get it back, his fill ins outplayed him.
——————————
How do you “outplay” someone that’s out with a broken foot? Fact is, Tree is a stud and should be eased back into the position because he is quite possibly, along with Jarvis Jones, the best overall athlete on the defensive side.
DIT
October 24th, 2011
1:10 pm
It will be good to have Tree back, however, you just can’t overlook the great job the other guys did stepping in for him. Tree is the real deal on that team. I would like to see him and Jones rip some heads.
layinlow
October 24th, 2011
1:11 pm
Brantley is listed as probable and will began practicing today according to Muschamp. If you go back until the point Brantley was hurt and left the lineup the gators looked pretty darn good. This is one UGA fan who is worried and suprised that some on here are callling for a big win over UF. After struggling against Vandy and coupled with the fact that UF is getting healthy I think this game is more of a toss up. I hope the players are diligent in their preparation for this game and not looking at UF’s three game losing streak and thinking hey we got this game. UF needs this game just as bad as UGA and will come out with a boost in confidence if brantley is indeed back in the lineup so UGA better watch out.
DIT
October 24th, 2011
1:14 pm
I’m equally as nervous about this game. It’s a toss up. Dawgs need to play the best they have so far this year to have a chance to win. UF will be out for blood. Just my opinion, but it rests on Murrays leadership or lack of if we win or lose this one.
ARdawg
October 24th, 2011
1:15 pm
layinlow
Fact is, your worries are really unfounded. On paper, UGA sould pound the pooh out of the Gators with or without Brantley. In reality, the paper doesn’t play the game or mix the emotion that goes into this game. The Dawgs should win but, there is a reason they play the games. Florida’s history is one that say they can beat UGA especially when they are not supposed to. we have a 50/50 shot at beating FL, no more, no less
JAWJeRDAWG
October 24th, 2011
1:16 pm
Davis
Alec didn’t lose his position; he has been healing a broken foot injuried in the Boise State game.
Yes, his backups have played stellar.
I expect they will all get playing time on different defensive packages during the game, but Alec Ogletree is one of the best players on defense, and if completely healthy and has a good practice week, will get significant playing time and probabl y start.
Just, MHO. .. Go Dawgs! and Alec, I hope you’re back to your former defensive beast self!
Dap01
October 24th, 2011
1:21 pm
I hope CMR offers more offensive input this week. I don’t trust Bobo.
TampaDawg
October 24th, 2011
1:21 pm
I think UF is a very humbled team right now. But if Brantley plays and isn’t still 100% or if the backup plays and UGA wins, I really don’t want to hear the excuses from non-UGA fans. They didn’t want to hear it when UGA nearly beat UF in 2005 with Joe T having to fill in for DJ. Only a phantom ref called penalty on a TD saved the lizards that year.
ARdawg
October 24th, 2011
1:22 pm
With that said, let me now state:
Get it done Coach Richt!
We’ve reeled off 5 straight wins after the disappointment of being 0-2, beaten by clearly inferior teams. While we’ve won 5 straight, we haven’t looked like even a decent cohesive team. We’ve backdoored in the polls and may very well into an SECCG. Practice, prepare and pound Florida into oblivion. It’s time to make a statement that YES we will be in the SECGS and YES we will be there to win it. Now is the time to not only show but, prove we are a good football team.
GO DAWGS (gulp)
G-Dawg
October 24th, 2011
1:23 pm
Who all will be in Jax for the game??????? Go Dawgs!!
JAWJeRDAWG
October 24th, 2011
1:24 pm
ARdawg
I totally agree with your post. From past games played, the Gators will play us hard.
I just hope we rise to the occasion, play our best, and win! .. Go Dawgs!
d-dog
October 24th, 2011
1:24 pm
I remember when the Dawgs owned the Gators. I think this will be a good game to watch for uga fans. You no that last years game came down to the wire where Uga ran out of gas. I think the tank is a little bit better topped off this year with fuel. I hate players “W”, and “G” are out the first 30 min. Just remember “T” and “W” are back and rested. They should be a nightmare for “UF” “”QB” player “B”. I hope he can play……No excuses. Play up to expectations. Dawg win..35 to 10.
OkieDawg
October 24th, 2011
1:25 pm
I’m hoping Crowell is over his pouting spiel from the Vandy game. We really need him. I hope CMR is not going to hold him out again because he loves him. If the same team that played Vandy last week shows up in JAX, it won’t be good.
DIT
October 24th, 2011
1:25 pm
I’ll be in Florida for the game!
ARdawg
October 24th, 2011
1:25 pm
I will not attend the annual C*o*C*kT*A*IL party this year *tearing up*
G-Dawg
October 24th, 2011
1:25 pm
Its not the dawgs fault for the SEC east having a down year…so quit making it an excuse. Fact is, a weak SEC east is better than most quality wins by many of the other top 15 teams in the rankings.
G-Dawg
October 24th, 2011
1:27 pm
For those attending, we’re will ya’ll be tailgating?
G-Dawg
October 24th, 2011
1:27 pm
where will ya’ll be tailgating??
ARdawg
October 24th, 2011
1:27 pm
Hiya JAWJeRDAWG!
The season’s, the records, their 3 game skid and our 5 victories mean exactly dic. CMR has to prepare them and have them ready to play. With or without Brantley, they will be ready. They always are.
Spaceman Spiff
October 24th, 2011
1:28 pm
@ It’s Obvious
How does it feel to be VA’s and Miami’s whipping boy?
ARdawg
October 24th, 2011
1:30 pm
It is time for the DAWGS to make a statement and a signature win (even though FL hardly qualifies this year as such). A defense that gives them nothing more than a FG and an offense that pastes 40+. If the Dawgs want some attention, earn it
OkieDawg
October 24th, 2011
1:31 pm
I’ll be in Jacksonville and tailgating with the Jacksonville Bulldog Club.
ARdawg
October 24th, 2011
1:32 pm
Spaceman Spiff
October 24th, 2011
1:28 pm
@ It’s Obvious
How does it feel to be VA’s and Miami’s whipping boy?
Heh, Heh. Just two weeks ago there was Nerd fans on this blog talking about a BCSCG
DIT
October 24th, 2011
1:33 pm
I hear that Boise is already rolling out the BLUE carpet for the nerds
JAWJeRDAWG
October 24th, 2011
1:34 pm
ARdawg
I won’t be able to go this year either (tears also); recovering from surgery just won’t let me make the trip.
Sending my son and daughter-in-law instead to cheer on the Dawgs! They’re really excited to be able to go. .. Go Dawgs!
G-Dawg
October 24th, 2011
1:34 pm
Yo Okie…where will the JBC be located at??
gdawginkalamazoo
October 24th, 2011
1:35 pm
I bet that Wei$$ probably went over the BSU game tape to see what Moore did to our D. I would look for a healthy dose of that with Dempsey and Rainey scooting around the outside. Special teams will always be special for us. Can’t wait to see when the fake punt/FG will be cast upon us. Is there a line on that play in Vegas? Anyhoo, I hope our guys man up, play a nice clean game, make a play and get back to the huddle. Show a lot of discipline. Go Dawgs!
Spaceman Spiff
October 24th, 2011
1:38 pm
@ ARdawg
I know – funny, eh? I seem to recall them talking about how they were unstoppable and the like…
Nothing
October 24th, 2011
1:38 pm
like beating five patsies in a row to send ga fans back into their delusional world where ga is still relevant in the SEC. Next year ga fans should join tech fans at dragon con-both live in a fantasy world. Florida owns ga and Saturday will be no different.
Fair and Balanced
October 24th, 2011
1:39 pm
Yep, CMR has to win this one. Has to! If we lose this one then 7 – 5 is still on the table. 2 weeks to prepare for a weak Fl team with an inexperienced coach…….
OkieDawg
October 24th, 2011
1:44 pm
G-Dawg, the JBC sponsors a tailgate at Metropolitan Park located near Festival Park Ave. They have a BBQ and live band. I’ve attended for the last several years and they do a good job. You can go on their website.